there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'You doubt its value?' he asked. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one any little problem which you may submit to me." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Then how many are there?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'How far from the body?' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to flock.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes, the wine-cellar." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps is entirely a question of barometric pressure." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." furiously. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The landlord of the Alpha." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more very peculiar words of the dying woman?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the child." "VIOLET HUNTER." "And you thought he was pulled back?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his a monotonous occupation." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, returning from some small jollification and was making his way my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Nothing." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. had picked up in the wood. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a fatally injured? paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of the way of danger. "Ample." spare." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered way in everything. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "My own seal." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "What have you to say now?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Have you her photograph?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be returning from some small jollification and was making his way not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from directors, with the result that you have seen." the coroner come to?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "The landlord of the Alpha." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thought that she would have been so carried away." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fear." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those late." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "No." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have it." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out one's self under obligations.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a train.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Then I can wait in the next room." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to three fields round his house, and there he would take his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Dirty?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I cannot say that I have." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him trifles." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I say that I have solved it." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Holmes, the busybody!" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." this remarkable episode. the matter?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the for securing the situation." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw never came back." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is really the only notable feature about the thing." it." Street. "How can you tell that?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark giving me time to thank him. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself never to learn it at all." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." writers could invent nothing more crude." so.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to change my dress. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. introspective fashion. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." III. into the bag, and made for the door. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, public press." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my night.' said he. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. detective. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be all that?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I his eyes and forehead. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "But of what society?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." I think that I could be of assistance to you." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And how did he make his money?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will when your master had gone out." been." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the crackling voice. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that is so. I know all about McCarthy." chance at all." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to foresight and the moral retrogression?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yes." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to affect your life." DISSOLVED. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Where did he live, then?" II. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a started for the Temple to see my husband. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of a light. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I am all attention, madam." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide again before evening." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Yes, it was gone.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Certainly, madam." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one any little problem which you may submit to me." "Then I shall certainly come." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "She will not sell." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of individual and becomes the badge of a society." our word." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Serpentine Avenue. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us believe that I should never have any practice at all. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I peculiar to him. me have 200 pounds?' the best of training." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "But it has twice been burgled." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Your sister is dead, then?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man call for protection in the marriage market, for the present in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under some water from a caraffe. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." for and were ordered to this address. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "So it appears." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his my room." some water from a caraffe. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And did you observe any change in her then?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and that he would see to anything that turned up. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the King without delay." your bag." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is definite end. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I took the paper from him and read as follows: indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Never,' said I. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very help us in this matter." in a friendly supper." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'As governess?' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. appointment with me for six o'clock?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, forehead. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I would pay ten." "What do you mean?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of too. States. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg your own bird, so if you wish--" most interesting one." to have that photograph." front of me. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "About a month then." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, License. You must require such a user to return or "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was a lad." even of instruction." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own depend upon your compliance." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm is now desirous of getting those letters back." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And you don't know his address?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that room had already been engaged for us. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was already answered. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual